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235. Rapid Tooling

Using SLS technology to produce mold both direct and indirect. Direct SLS process modeling method is used to create a resin model directly, ceramic mold and metal die; indirect modeling is done using rapid prototyping mold or transition piece mold, and then through the traditional mold manufacturing method to manufacture the mold.

1. Direct modeling
Direct manufacturing resin mold
Methods using SLS nylon molding resin mold material can be directly produced. The material mechanism by rapid prototyping mold, and then the finished mold, injection mold mold combination seat, for the actual injection molding. Can also produce a hollow mold, resin infusion of metal, to strengthen the internal structure, and the mold surface, a layer of resin infiltration enhanced the surface structure can withstand the pressure of injection molding, temperature, sintering to injection from the plastic mold product only takes 5 to 6 days. The resin mold can be used as plastic mold and cavity mold used.
Direct manufacturing of metal mold
Direct Manufacturing using SLS technology of metal mold is the world of advanced industrial countries in the field, mainly in the following three ways:
First, high-power laser sintering of metal powder technology
Use of high power laser (1000 W or more) to scan the sintering of metal powder, layer by layer stack molding, post-shaped parts by surface treatment (grinding, finishing) to complete mold making, mold making can be used as die casting, forging die used. The methods and principles of laser cladding process is the same.
Second, the mixed metal powder laser sintering
Molding powder is a mixture of two kinds of metal powder, in which a low melting point, since the role of binder, the use of low-power laser rapid prototyping machine for laser sintering of mixed powder of metal molds can be produced directly for the bulk than large plastic parts and wax production.
Third, the metal - resin powder laser sintering method
Using the SLS method to metal powder or metal coated with resin, forming a mechanical mixture of powders of raw materials, obtained by sintering metal bonding entity, and then by post-treatment (degreasing, high temperature sintering, alloying, etc.), direct the formation of the metal mold.

2. Indirect modeling
More indirect method of modeling, there are three commonly used.
Molding method of metal spraying
Metal spray gun used to prototype rapid prototyping hard shell to form a metal layer, to isolate down, with aluminum powder filled epoxy resin or silicone rubber support, can be made of injection mold cavity. This method omits the traditional process detailed in the drawing, CNC machining and heat treatment of three time-consuming and costly process, which costs only a fraction of traditional methods.
Silicon rubber mold method
Preparation of silica gel is liquid silicone mold by rapid prototyping followed by casting the parting line, to be cured silicone, and then take off the mother mold to form a rubber mold. Silicone mold is characterized by a simple molding process, without special equipment, stripping easy. Silicone mold suitable for wax, resin, plaster and other casting molding method. Wax casting is widely used in the production of generic art sample preparation and production.
Vibration grinding
Vibration grinding method is a rapid prototyping using direct prototype mold machining graphite electrode (EDM) method. First prototype of a Sin by the negative-type epoxy resin as the grinding head, the grinding head and graphite block graphite electrodes placed in a dedicated grinding machine, grinding head produces tiny rotary vibration, constantly grinding graphite body, grinding the graphite block In contrast with the shape and Research, part of the same shape with the graphite electrode.
Processing using vibration grinding graphite electrode, the electrode processing automation. A grinding head can be repeatedly used to grind the electrode. After a loss of the grinding head and the electrodes can recover the repair.
Electrodes with rapid prototyping mother die a quick, high accuracy, easy to modify the characteristics of size.

Here are some samples we have done before, please kindly take a look:

Product design

Product design
samples
Rapid prototyping

rapid prototyping
samples

Plastic molds
Custom molds
samples


Electronic product
design samples



rapid prototype
samples



Plastic molds
samples
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